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Cong, NC engaged in hectic efforts to form Kargil Council
‘Kargil result not to impact 2014 Assembly elections’
Kishtwar fallout: Police told to identify vulnerable areas in state
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Judicial probe into Kishtwar violence an eyewash: PDP
2009 Shopian killings
Sikhs push for minority status
Kashmir readies for Zubin concert
JKPCC convention
Panchayat Conference presses for civic body elections
State set to procure twin-engine helicopter
Hizb now denies role in Poonch killings
State taxes its people more, tweets former J&K Bank chairman
Massive search operation on in Manjakote
Legislators’ team to assess situation in Kishtwar soon
10 illegal structures along Sindh demolished, HC told
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Cong, NC engaged in hectic efforts to form Kargil Council
Srinagar, August 29 The two parties are running a coalition government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah but have not entered into a coalition arrangement for the LAHDC, Kargil. Both NC and Congress leaders in the district are engaged in hectic efforts to ensure the requisite majority to form the Council. As of now, the verdict predicts a hung Council with 10 seats of the Congress, eight of the NC and eight of Independents. The decision to form the new Council led by an elected chief executive councillor and other executive councillors will have to be taken before September 2, the deadline set for constituting the LAHDC. The National Conference has the support of three members of its ally, Islamia School, Kargil, taking its number to 11. Sources claimed the NC had taken its numbers to 12 with the support of another Independent. Likewise, with the support of two Independent candidates, the Congress too has claimed to have reached the mark of 12. Two Independents, who got elected uncontested, hold the key to the constitution of the new Council, the sources said. “The Independent candidates will have a significant role in the formation of the new Council,” said a political observer. More than 13 councillors are required for the formation of the Executive Council for the next five years and none of the two parties has the requisite numbers. The elections to the 26-member LAHDC, Kargil, were held on August 22 and the counting of votes was held yesterday, giving out a hung verdict for the third Council. The last Council had the National Conference in a clear majority. Poll count
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‘Kargil result not to impact 2014 Assembly elections’
Jammu, August 29 A political analyst from the Valley said the removal of Kargil member of the Legislative Assembly Qamar Ali Akhoon from the state Cabinet had cost the NC a few seats in the LAHDC elections. “Akhoon’s removal from the council of ministers certainly had an impact at a place like Kargil and it didn’t go well with people of the area. Another thing is that people of the Ladakh region are tilting towards national parties unlike the Kashmir valley, which is also the case that the Congress performed better than the NC in the council elections,” said Gul Muhammad Wani, a Valley-based political analyst. Wani said the Kargil council election results would not have any impact on the upcoming Assembly elections in the state. “(The) LAHDC elections are for functioning of the council, which deals with the local development issues. People are more concerned about councilors performing their duty with honesty and it may not have an adverse impact on the Assembly elections,” Wani said. The NC, on the other hand, also thinks on similar lines and believes that the party would do well in the upcoming Assembly elections. “The results will not have any impact on the 2014 elections despite the fact that we will be forming the council in Kargil. The picture will get clear till evening and we are hopeful that few Independent members will support the NC to form the council in Kargil,” said Mustafa Kamal, NC additional general secretary. The elections were held to the LAHDC, Kargil, on August 22 and the results were declared yesterday. The Congress got 10 seats, NC eight, Islamia School Kargil three and Independents got five seats. The NC has the support of Islamia School Kargil and is hopeful of getting few Independents on its side. The NC leader from Kargil, Qamar Ali Akhoon, believes that the NC hasn’t done well as it expected to do. “Yes, this is true that the NC hasn’t done well but still we have chances to form the council. We will have to work hard for the upcoming elections and there is no alternative to hard work,” Akhoon said. Kamal also said every party had to work hard to get people on their side. |
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Kishtwar fallout: Police told to identify vulnerable areas in state
Jammu, August 29 The communal clashes in Kishtwar had triggered a wave of protests across the Jammu region, where the state administration had to clamp curfew in at least eight of the 10 districts for over a week. The state has 22 districts, 215 police stations (territorial 195, railways 11, CID 2, crime 2, tourist 1 and anti-human trafficking 4) and 286 police posts (territorial 158, border police posts 108 and railways 20). The aim of the exercise was to identify vulnerable areas, status of minorities and trouble-makers who grabbed the opportunity to stoke passions. It would help in efficient and effective action at the time of a contingency, said sources.In the aftermath of the Kishtwar violence, the police had detained or arrested over 200 trouble-makers. After the Kishtwar violence, the baffled state government had to seek the help of the Army in all eight districts to restore normalcy. "We will not like to see such an incident repeated given the fact that separatists grab such opportunities with both hands to pursue their agenda," said the sources. The Jammu Zone IGP downplayed the fresh exercise, saying, "These are normal issues. If somebody is doing it, it is not a big deal." A senior police officer, privy to the instructions from the Home Department, said the instructions have come to the police department to conduct the exercise. "We are updating the records of trouble-makers in our areas," said an SHO on the condition of anonymity. Following the clashes and subsequent pressure on the state government, Minister of State for Home Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo put in his papers on August 12. He was in Kishtwar, his home constituency, when the clashes broke out. |
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Judicial probe into Kishtwar violence an eyewash: PDP
Jammu, August 29 The PDP observed that similar investigations were announced earlier by the present coalition government but nothing concrete had emerged from them. At a meeting of senior party activists of the Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha segment, which was held under the chairmanship of PDP patron Mufti Mohammad
Sayeed, party leaders said since the formation of the Omar Abdullah-led coalition government in January 2009, a numbers of inquiries had been announced from time to time but all such investigations had ultimately proved as deceit tactics on the part of the state government to shield the real culprits. The party said instead of indulging in customary exercises of announcing inquiries, the state government should take strict action against the real culprits responsible for the violence in Kishtwar to restore confidence among the people. Expressing anguish over the loss of precious human lives and property in Kishtwar violence, the PDP demanded that all affected families should be rehabilitated completely. PDP leaders exhorted party workers to strengthen communal harmony and brotherhood in the region. |
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2009 Shopian killings
Srinagar, August 29 The matter was listed before a division bench of the High Court comprising Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice DS Thakur
today. Asiya (17) and her sister-in-law Neelofar Jan (22) were found dead on May 30, 2009, at the Rambiara Nallah in
Shopian. The victims’ family and people in Shopian had alleged that the women were “first raped and then murdered”. However, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had described the deaths as “accidental drowning” in its chargesheet before the court. As the matter came up before the Bench today, in his submissions advocate general MI Qadri representing the state government opposed the re-investigation of the case and the continuous monitoring of the case by the High Court. He said, in view of certain Supreme Court rulings, the J&K High Court cannot continue to monitor The case had been handed over to the CBI after the Kashmir High Court Bar Association filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) before the high court in 2009 asking for monitoring of the case, which is still bending before the court. The CBI has, however, completed its investigation into the matter and filed a chargesheet before the
CJM, Srinagar. The family’s counsel GN Shaheen reiterated his earlier submissions that the victims’ family was not satisfied with the investigation of the case by the CBI and therefore wanted re-investigation into the case. He submitted that that there were contradictions in the individual investigations carried out by the CBI, the special investigation team of the state police and the Justice Jan
(retd) Commission of Inquiry into the incident. After hearing both the sides, the Bench, however, reserved its orders about continuous monitoring of the case by the court. In the meanwhile, the Court granted counsel Shaheen two weeks time to file written submissions in support of his contentions and pleas made in earlier motion filed by the family. Acting on a plea for re-investigation into the 2009 Shopian ‘double murder’ case, the High Court had on November 26, 2012, issued notices to the CASE FILE
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Sikhs push for minority status
Srinagar, August 29 The deputation was led by Jagmohan Singh Raina, chairman of the All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee. The demands put forth by the delegation included granting minority status to the Sikh community in the state as per the National Commission for Minorities Act, filling vacant posts of Punjabi teachers in various colleges and higher secondary schools in Kashmir, setting up of the Punjabi Department at the University of Kashmir, special employment package for the unemployed youth of the community and provincial authority for issuing permanent resident certificates to people who had to leave their villages due to militancy but are living in the Valley. The Governor observed that he had urged the state government to establish a Commission to look into the interests of various minorities in the state and had been given the assurance that the demand would be looked into. Vohra said their other demands would also receive due attention.
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Kashmir readies for Zubin concert
Srinagar, August 29 The authorities have started sprucing up the Shalimar Garden, the venue for the concert. The garden is likely to be closed two days ahead of the event. Government sources said the arrangements for making the event a success had already begun. Some 1,500 people, including 700 guests from outside the state, will attend the concert at the Shalimar Garden, one of the famous Mughal gardens on the banks of the Dal Lake. The event ‘Ehsaas-e-Kashmir’ (The Feel of Kashmir), scheduled on September 7, is being organised by the German Embassy along with the J&K Government and Union government. The guest list includes high-profile industrialists, corporate bigwigs and European Union ambassadors. As many as 100 musicians, accompanying the renowned music conductor, will start arriving in the Valley from September 5. The sources said the security around the Shalimar Garden had been beefed up and visitors were being frisked. “After a meeting, certain security measures have been put in place to host the mega event,” said a senior police officer. The sources said over 1,200 Ambassadors and Gypsies have been kept at the disposal of the security wing of the J&K Police for ferrying VVIPs to the venue. German Ambassador Michael Steiner will be arriving in Srinagar in a day or two to review the arrangements for the concert, which would be aired live in many European countries. |
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JKPCC convention
Jammu, August 29 All India Congress Committee general secretary and in charge of the J&K Congress Ambika Soni, Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and JKPCC chief Saifuddin Soz are participating in the convention. Sources said there was a feeling among the state Congress leadership that the convention was an appropriate platform to take on the NC on the issues such as the 73rd and 74th amendments of the Indian Constitution and the Food Security Bill. “As the National Conference has given a cold response to implement the Food Security Bill in J&K, the Congress leadership is thinking of passing a resolution in the convention to exert pressure on the coalition partner on the issue,” a source said. The source added that a resolution in this regard had already been drafted which would be discussed with the JKPCC chief on Friday. The Congress high command is very particular about implementing its “dream” Food Security Bill in the country in general and the party ruled states in particular so the state leadership has decided to use the Bill as a weapon to corner the NC. Soz has announced that his party would “convince” the NC to implement the Bill in the state. “(The) NC is enjoying power all due to the support of the Congress so we have a reason to implement our own agenda,” a Congress leader told The Tribune and said in the convention, the state Congress leadership would also rake up the issue of delay tactics being adopted by the NC in implementing the 73rd and 74th amendments of the Indian Constitution in J&K. In the last convention of the executive committee members of the JKPCC, which was held in Srinagar in 2012, a resolution was passed for implementing the 73rd amendment but the NC leadership never gave importance to Congress' demand. Senior JKPCC vice-president Dharam Pal Sharma told The Tribune that there was a possibility of passing of some resolutions. He, however, said the party leadership would discuss the issue with the JKPCC chief before taking a final decision on moving any resolution. Sharma said nearly 174 party members would participate in the convention. |
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Panchayat Conference presses for civic body elections
Srinagar, August 29 The eight-member delegation, led by Fazal Hussain Khan, party chairman, presented a memorandum to the Governor listing its demands, including all required measures being taken for strengthening the Panchayati Raj Institutions in the state and the J&K Panchayati Raj Act being urgently amended for the purpose, immediate conduct of elections to the block development councils, establishment of district planning and development boards, constitutional guarantee for powers to be exercised by the Panchayati Raj Institutions and enhancing the honoraria payable to the sarpanches and panches. The delegation thanked the Governor for taking a keen interest in strengthening the Panchayati Raj Institutions and felicitated him for his appointment to the second term. Interacting with the delegation, the Governor observed that the issues raised by it would receive his attention, as in the past. The delegation comprised Abdul Majeed Mir, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Sofi, Mohammad Hussain Naqashbandi, Ashkoor Ahmad, Haji Ghulam Qadir Akhoon, Khurshid Ahmad Mir and Ghulam Mohammad Lone.
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State set to procure twin-engine helicopter
Jammu, August 29 The other members of the committee are the Principal Secretary, Planning and Development, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Principal Secretary, Finance, and the Civil Aviation Commissioner. “In supersession of the earlier order issued on October 27, 2010, the government has accorded the constitution of the high-level committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to work out the modalities for the procurement of a light twin-engine helicopter suitable for J&K state,” said an official notification of the General Administration Department (GAD), headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Official sources said the government was mulling over the purchase of Agusta-109, a light twin-engine helicopter. “The state Civil Aviation Department (CAD) already has one fixed-wing aircraft (King Air-350) and two helicopters — Bell 407 and Agusta-109-E. The state government had purchased King Air-350 in 2007 at a cost of $ 65,50,616,” a source said. The Agusta-109-E, purchased in 2005, cost the state $44,11,500, while Bell-407 — a single-engine helicopter — was purchased in 2002 at a cost of $17,99,975. “So far, Jammu and Kashmir has spent $ 5,52,12,091 on its air fleet purchased during the last 10 years,” the source said. As per the norms, the state aircraft and helicopters are meant to facilitate the movement of dignitaries, including the Governor and the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister authorises its use for other VVIPs like visiting Union ministers, presiding officers of the legislature, his ministerial colleagues and senior officers of the Government of India and state government. The government spent Rs 12 crore on the fuel and maintenance of the state aircraft and two helicopters, which conducted 3,552 sorties for ferrying VIPs, including ministers and bureaucrats, in the last three years. It had defended the extensive use of aircraft and helicopters, citing visits to “geographical isolated areas” in the state. Air power
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Hizb now denies role in Poonch killings
Srinagar, August 29 The Hizb claim has absolved both Pakistan army and the Kashmiri militant group of the attack on the forward post in the Poonch sector, which escalated the tension along the Line of Control. New Delhi had blamed Pakistan army for the Poonch ambush. “The statement claiming responsibility for the Poonch attack was based on inputs from the field sources and it has not been proved correct,” the Hizbul Mujahideen spokesman claimed in a statement issued to the KNS. Hizbul head and United Jehad Council chairman Syed Salahuddin more than a fortnight after the Poonch ambush had told the KNS that the border squad of the outfit had carried out the attack. The belated claim and now the retraction by the Hizbul has raised many questions. — TNS |
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State taxes its people more, tweets former J&K Bank chairman
Srinagar, August 29 Drabu wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter, “Between Gujurat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kashmir which state taxes its people the most? J&K. Surprised? Omar doubled it in the last four years!” “National conference-Congress coalition economic model in Kashmir: low income, high taxes, poor services. Do you need more to revolt?” he wrote on Twitter. Despite criticism by various political, social and economic organisations, the state government went ahead with the constitution of the State Property Tax Board on August 16. Reportedly, people owning properties within the municipal limits of twin cities of Srinagar and Jammu would have to pay 4 per cent of the total value of the immovable assets they own. Experts believe that the imposition of property tax would do no justice to the already sad state of affairs of economy in the state, especially when the state has witnessed economic downturn for the past two decades due to political turmoil. “The truth is that we have not yet recovered from the damage done to the economy during the last two decades of political turmoil in the Valley. Political stabilisation is a must for bringing economic changes and especially setting up tax policies. Unfortunately, the per capita income of people has not drastically improved to pay huge taxes. We are already paying state taxes to the tune of 12 per cent of the annual income per person. Paying an additional 4 per cent tax would be a huge burden,” Yasin Ahmad Khan, chairman of the Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA), told The Tribune. The KEA chairman said the imposition of taxes would have negative consequences on tourism, construction, real estate and even manufacturing sectors. Shuaib Beigh, a subject expert on economics at the Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora, said the imposition of property tax may also lead to massive shifting of commercial and residential properties from urban areas to rural areas (where they don’t have to pay the property tax), depleting the agricultural and forest land cover. |
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Massive search operation on in Manjakote
Rajouri, August 29 The operation was launched yesterday, said Danish Rana, DIG, Rajouri-Poonch range. “We launched a combined operation in the area which was still going on,” the DIG said. A source said an infiltration bid by a group of six to 10 people had taken place which forced the security agencies to launch a massive operation in Layaka, Panjgrain and Pakoda villages. It was only after the locals confirmed the presence of militants having taken food and shelter in some houses of the area that the Army and police launched the operation. Rana said continuous shelling from across the border was being witnessed which had become a cause for concern among the local population. |
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Legislators’ team to assess situation in Kishtwar soon
Jammu, August 29 In a statement issued here today, Gupta, a rebel Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA, said a disturbing situation was created when miscreants were allowed to indulge in free for all for hours together. In addition to loot and plunder of markets, armed hooligans also attacked houses and took to violence, he said. Even a gun house was looted and the weapons were used in horrible acts. Gupta regretted that the special investigating team was nowhere in sight, not to say of recovering the looted property and booking the culprits. “There are reports that some of the looted guns have been recovered, but from whom and where are the remaining ones. The whole matter still remains a mystery?” he asked. Gupta observed that on the one hand, traders were being asked to resume their business and on the other hand, not even preliminary relief had been provided to them. The BJP MLA said no committee had been appointed to assess the actual losses.
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10 illegal structures along Sindh demolished, HC told
Srinagar, August 29 This has been disclosed by the Chief Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control, in his report to the high court, which in its orders today further reiterated that its earlier directions about the removal of illegal structures along the river should continue to remain in operation. Earlier last week, while granting the authorities concerned time, the court had asked them to file a report about the steps taken to remove encroachments and illegal constructions on the banks of the Sindh river by August 29. The court is hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Qazi Rashid Shams, seeking removal of illegal structures on the banks of the Sindh in the district. As the matter came up before a bench comprising Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur, advocate general MI Qadri representing the state government authorities submitted that the irrigation and flood control department had demolished 10 illegal structures on the river banks in the district. A “loud and clear message” had been sent that encroachmcg constructed in the area in violation of the court directions. However in his submission, petitioner’s counsel GA Lone said a cafeteria constructed by the tourism authorities still existed “within the course of the river”. The counsel representing the tourism authorities, however, denied that the cafeteria fell within the course of river. He said he had already filed an application before the court for the protection of the cafeteria. After hearing all the sides, the high court in its orders today directed the petitioner’s counsel to file a rejoinder within two weeks mentioning the structures which had come up in violation of the rules. In view of the submission made by the counsel representing the tourism authorities, the high court further directed for maintaining status quo with regard to the cafeteria in question till the next date of hearing fixed in September. Encroachments along river
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The People’s Democratic Party
(PDP) today demanded proper rehabilitation of the violence-affected families of Kishtwar and its adjoining areas. It said the judicial probe announced by the state government into the August 9 incident was nothing but an eyewash to hide the truth.
Amid opposition from separatists and Kashmiri civil society groups, the state is making preparations for hosting the international music maestro Zubin Mehta.
The authorities have started sprucing up the Shalimar Garden, the venue for the concert. The garden is likely to be closed two days ahead of the event.
Complying with the J&K High Court directions, the authorities concerned have demolished 10 structures which were built illegally on the banks of the Sindh river in Ganderbal district.
This has been disclosed by the Chief Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control, in his report to the high
court.
